Q: We want to sell and move but our neighbor's house and yard is a complete mess. What do we do, short of contacting the city? How will this impact the sale of our home? San Jose Mercury News ~ 5/10/08

Q: We want to sell and move but our neighbor's house and yard is a complete mess. What do we do, short of contacting the city? How will this impact the sale of our home?

A: You or your licensee should politely approach the family and discuss ways to improve their property without being offensive. Could you and their neighbors pitch in with labor and expenses? After all, their homes are adversely affected, to the tune of thousands of dollars, by residential blight. If that fails, small claims court and city governments move too slowly and often without power. You should consult a real estate attorney to discuss your options. Sometimes, one well-crafted letter from an attorney will get sought- after results. Otherwise, if their Christmas lights are not down before the first open house, the best buyers won’t get out of their cars.